Honestly, if you ask for Hooven sights, then you are probably not looking for the usual tourist stuff, but for what a real local value. Hooven is located in the heart of Whitewater Township, Butler County, and has its roots in late 19. The century when the railways merged the small industrial settlements along the Great Miami River. The city was named after the local brewer Hooven – yes, that's no coincidence, here the beer had to talk earlier than most other places.
I usually come by the car of Cincinnati, because the 30-minute drive over the I‐75 looks a bit like a short trip to the past: you drive past fields that still smelled for corn, and suddenly the small but proud hooves appear. The road leads you directly to the center where you can see the old factory building, which today serves as a community center – a perfect example of how history is not dusted, but reworked.
A short trip to Hamilton, just a few miles north, shows that Hooven is not isolated; the proximity to the larger city gives you the opportunity to sneak a coffee in one of Hamilton's hip cafés after a walk through the quiet alleys. And yes, I don't quite understand the hype about the big cities, but the quiet corners of Hooven have their own charm that you shouldn't overlook.
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Here's how it works:
Advantage:
You can assess light, perspective and location before visiting the site – ideal for photography, sunrises and sunsets.
To find the exact point where the sun disappears behind the skyline, use the azimuth display on poi-travel.de. In Hooven, the sun travels further northwest below the horizon in summer, while in winter it takes a more southwesterly angle. With the embedded line on the map, you can determine your tripod position down to the metre.
They say that the true heart of Whitewater Township in the dense green of Miami Whitewater Forest suggests – and this is not just an advertising statement from the 90-year anniversary catalogue. The forest is just a few minutes south of Hooven, and parking is usually a children's game, as long as you don't get in touch with your whole family on Saturday night, then it becomes a real patience game. I spent half a weekend there because I thought a bit of hiking would distract me from work; instead I found myself between mossed tree trunks that seemed to tell more stories than most politicians in Cincinnati. The roundabout around the Lake Rockwell is short enough to not tire, but long enough to make a few selfies that then make laughter in the family chat.
A few miles further north, almost in the hinterland, lies John Bryan State Park. There is no hype about Instagram filters, only real limestone rocks and a river that winds through the gorge as if he wanted to whisper a secret to every visitor. I remember the day that I took down the steep climbs with my old mountain bike, just to be completely out of breath at the end and realize that I had kept the map in the wrong direction. Practical: The parking spaces are well signposted, but on sunny Saturdays it can be filled quickly – an early arrival is almost worth as a ritual.
If you have enough of the usual forest walks, the path continues to Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve. This is what you could call “Natur-Instagram-Spot” only without the crowded crowds found in the large national parks. The river that shoots through the narrow gorge has such a clarity that you almost feel that it would look directly into the soul. I once made a picnic that was disturbed by a group of ducks who apparently decided that my sandwich was the highlight of their day. Parking is small, but sufficient if you are ready to walk a few meters on foot – this is almost already part of the adventure.
The Great Miami River Trail moves like a red thread through the region and connects all these natural gems together. The trail is well maintained and the signage system is so clear that even my grandfather who never used a GPS would find the way. I tried the trail once with my old skateskate, just to see that the asphalt sections are worn out faster than I thought – a hint that not only nature lovers, but also city commuters are on the way. Parking along the trail is usually possible on the edge of the path, but on weekends it can come to small battles around the best places.
For those who prefer to experience the water actively, there are several at the Great Miami River Kayaking and canoeing. The river is wide enough to paddle a bit without constantly having to fight against electric shocks, and the accesses are usually freely accessible – a small wooden bridge at Whitewater Dam is completely enough to push the boat into the water. I once tried to organize a romantic paddle date there, just to realize that the ducks in the water were louder than my date. Practical note: On hot summer days, the water can be surprisingly cool, so a wetsuit is not a bad idea if you don't want to look like a slut.
A little away from nature, but still an integral part of the local scene, this is Hamilton County Fairgrounds. This is where fairs, flea markets and the annual County Fair event take place all year round, which is more than just a bunch of carousels – it is a showcase for regional craftsmanship and culinary heritage. I once discovered a stand with homemade apple cake that was so good that I would have spent almost the entire budget for souvenirs there. Parking is usually easy as long as you do not come to the main attraction of the year, then this becomes a small logistic puzzle.
Whether you're stabbing through dense forests, climbing limestone rocks or just want to relax by the river – the surroundings of Hooven offers a colourful mix of nature, sport and local culture, which gives every traveler a little more than just the usual tourist-cram. And if you have experienced all this, you will understand why the Hooven sights have more to offer than one would suspect at first glance.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Hooven is not any hipster café you can find on Instagram, but the inconspicuous Hooven Community Park. There, where the grass grows a bit longer and the benches tell more stories than most city tours, you can just let the soul budge – and without a WLAN signal that constantly reminds you of your To-Do list. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the local baseball team has a game and suddenly all parents show up with barbecue pliers and loud children's voices.
A short walk along the old gravel road leads you to St John the Baptist Catholic Church. I don't understand the hype about gothic churches, but here the nave has something almost rustic charm, which reminds you that there used to be real community instead of just digital likes. The benches are made of solid wood, which is so old that it almost snares when you sit down – a perfect place to stay a few minutes and listen to the murmuring of the community that feels like a quiet background track.
If you have enough of holy halls, look at this Hooven Cemetery on. Yes, a cemetery as a tourist attraction sounds like macaber humor, but the tombstones here are real time capsules. I once discovered an old Veteran gemstone, whose inscription tells of a forgotten war, and that has fascinated me more than any modern art exhibition. And the best thing: the cemetery is right next to the park, so after a short tour you are back in the green without taking the bus.
A bit further, about 15 minutes by bike, the Whitewater Canal Towpath through the landscape. This is one of those places you really appreciate when you put your boots in the mud. The path is well preserved, the old stone bridge that crosses the canal is a real photo magnet – not because it is particularly beautiful, but because it is so rarely crossed by tourists. I once made a picnic with my neighbour, and we fought to see if the water flows faster than our conversation about local politics.
Another little treasure I always mention is that Hooven Elementary School-Building. It is not exactly a museum, but the brick facade and the old clockwork in the hall give the whole a hint of nostalgia, which is rarely found in modern schools. I visited a school performance where the children performed a piece of the history of Hooven – and that was actually more interesting than any brochure you would find in the tourist office.
And because I don't just want to show the big, obvious things, here is a hint for those who like to wander a bit off the beaten paths: Hooven Fire Department- Building is a small but fine example of the local architecture of the early 20th Century. The red door, the old inflatable, which is still in the entrance area – this is the true heart of Hooven, which is not found in guidebooks, but that I would put to the heart of every visitor.
If you now think that this is too much, let me give you one last word: Hooven sights are not meant to be beaten, but to get a feeling that life here is a bit slower, a bit more real and a bit less influenced by Instagram filters. So, grab your hiking boots, forget the GPS for a moment and let the little corners surprise you – this is my recipe for a successful day in Hooven.
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